Town of Hinton Community Sustainability Plan

Topic(s): Food Production, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): urban farm, urban gardens/orchard

Year: 2011

View policy:  HTML

Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
urban agriculture;
food production;		 urban gardens/orchards;
urban farm;		 Develop local community gardens and encourage the use of SPIN (Small Plot INtensive) principles to re-localize the growth and variety of food. Plan for food sovereignty, in part by commercializing urban food production. 5.18.1

 

City of Lacombe Municipal Development Act

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): edible landscaping, food distribution, research and data collection, urban farm, urban gardens/orchard

Year: 2015

View policy:  HTML PDF

Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
development and productive use of agricultural land;  


Discourage fragmented development-
The City shall promote an orderly progression and staging of development in order to prevent premature development of agricultural land and to minimize land use conflicts with existing agricultural operations. The extension of city development shall only occur if an approved Outline Plan or Area Redevelopment or Structure Plan is in place which allows for connections to services immediately adjacent to the lands proposed for development. This should ensure that an orderly plan for development has been considered and limit the ability to develop land not adjacent to the existing built up urban area.

 GDP 4.4
urban-agricultural conflict & edge planning;   Appropriate agricultural operations-
The City shall support agricultural operations which are compatible with urban settlement within and adjacent to the city boundary. As such, uses such as intensive agriculture, which are considered incompatible with urban settlement, shall be prohibited within the city, and are not supported adjacent to the City’s boundaries. The City shall support ‘right to farm’ legislation by applying requirements within the Province of Alberta’s Agricultural Operations Practices Act (AOPA), RSA 2000, c A-7 (as amended) and any other relevant legislation.		 GDP 4.10

development and productive use of agricultural land;

urban-agricultural conflict & edge planning;

education;

 research and data collection; Agricultural research station-
The City acknowledges the significant role that the agricultural research station plays within the local, agricultural and research community (see Map 6: Intermunicipal). The City shall work to ensure that potential conflicts with neighbouring land uses are minimized and avoided so that the use and value of the station grounds for research purposes is maintained. The City shall avoid land use decisions that would jeopardize the future development of these lands for research purposes. Urban development of the lands associated with the agricultural research station apart from infrastructure servicing as required by the City, is not encouraged.		 AG 8.1, pg8

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban-agricultural conflict & edge planning;

 edible landscaping;

Local food production-
he City shall explore opportunities to encourage developments which promote local food production within its borders on both a larger and smaller scale, and on private and public lands. Local food production developments shall be compatible with urban land uses and shall not impact future development of the lands.

 AG 8.2, pg8

food processing, storage & distribution;

food sales, access and procurement;

 food distribution; Local food distribution-
The City shall promote local food distribution through a variety of methods, including supporting food delivery and distribution services and markets. Appropriate locations for these uses shall be identified in a comprehensive strategy to the satisfaction of the City, and shall be located in places people gather without jeopardizing safety.		 AG 8.3, pg8
urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchards;

edible landscaping;

 Municipal reserve landscaping and development-
When a developer is preparing an Outline Plan, the City shall work with the developer to identify the types of Municipal Reserve spaces to be delivered, and the infrastructure needed to ensure the lands are operational. As per the negotiated development agreement, Municipal Reserve parcels shall be landscaped and developed to the City’s satisfaction in accordance with guidelines and specifications established by the City. These guidelines and specifications should iv. provide for edible fruit trees and community garden spaces, where applicable, to encourage urban agriculture opportunities across the City;		 CER9.6 iv.

 

Metro Vancouver Regional Food System Strategy & Action Plan

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): ALR, aquaculture, climate change and greenhouse gases, community food system education, emergency preparedness, food distribution, food processing, food recovery/gleaning/donation, food storage, local food culture, local procurement, new entrants to farming, urban farm, wildlife and ecosystem management

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Food Strategy | Year: 2011

View policy:  HTML PDF

 

Topic

 Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating 
food production;
development and productive use of agricultural land;		 ALR; Protect agricultural land for
food production		 1.1  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; aquaculture;
wildlife and ecosystem management;		 Restore fish habitat and
protect sustainable sources of seafood		 1.2  
food production;
development and productive use of agricultural land;		   Enable expansion of agricultural production 1.3  
food production; new entrans to farming; Invest in a new generation of food producers 1.4  
food production;
urban agriculture;		 urban farm; Expand commercial food production in urban areas 1.5  
food processing, storage and distribution;
economic development;		 food processing;
food storage;
food distribution;		 Increase the capacity to process, warehouse and distribute local foods 2.1  

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

 local procurement; Include local foods in the purchasing policies of large public institutions 2.2  

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

   Increase direct marketing opportunities for local foods 2.3  
economic development;   Further develop value chains within the food sector 2.4  
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;   Review government policies and programs to ensure they enable the expansion of the local food sector 2.5  
nutrition and public health;   Enable residents to make healthy food choices 3.1  
education; community food systems education; Communicate how food choices support sustainability 3.2  
education; community food systems education; Enhance food literacy and skills in schools 3.3  
education; local food culture; Celebrate the taste of local foods and the diversity of cuisines 3.4  
food sales, access and procurement;
nutrition and public health;		 community food systems education; Improve access to nutritious food among vulnerable groups 4.1  
food production;
urban agriculture;		   Encourage urban agriculture 4.2  
food sales, access and procurement;
waste management;		 food recovery/gleaning/donation; Enable non-profit organizations to recover nutritious food 4.3  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Protect and Enhance Ecosystem Goods and Services 5.1  
waste management;   Reduce waste in the food system 5.2  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Facilitate adoption of environmentally sustainable practices 5.3  
  climate change and greenhouse gases; emergency preparedness; Prepare for the impacts of climate change 5.4  

 

Metro Vancouver's Regional Food System Action Plan adopted in 2016, outlines the actions that actions that local governments are planning to undertake in the next 3-5 years to advance implementation of the Regional Food System Strategy.

Download Metro Vancouver's Regional Food System Action Plan. 

See Metro Vancouver's website for more details.

 

City of Victoria Business License Bylaw Bylaw No. 89-71

Topic(s): Food Sales, Access & Procurement

Sub-topic(s): urban farm

Region: Capital | Document Type: Regulatory Bylaw | Year: amendment 2016

View policy:  HTML PDF

An amendment to the provisions of the Business Licence Bylaw to regulate small-scale commercial urban food production.

Note: The available consolidation of the Business Bylaw (last consolidated 2015) available here excludes these amendments.

City of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw No. 4500

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): food processing, siting and coverage, urban farm, urban gardens/orchard, zoning

Region: Nanaimo | Document Type: Zoning Bylaw | Year: consolidated 2015

View policy:  HTML PDF

Topic Sub-topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
urban agriculture; urban gardens/orchard;

USES PERMITTED IN ALL ZONES

The following uses are permitted in all zones:
... f) Community Garden

 6.1.1

urban agriculture;

food production;

 urban farm;

USES PERMITTED IN ALL ZONES

...6.1.3 An urban food garden shall be permitted in all zones provided that:

a) The total area which may be under cultivation on any given parcel shall not exceed more than 600m 2 in area except where the lot size is greater than 2,400m2 , in which case an urban food garden shall not exceed 25% of the lot area.

b) Production shall be limited the growing and harvesting of fruits, vegetables and edible plants, but specifically excludes the growing of mushrooms.

c) On-site sales of edible plants shall be permitted within roadside stands for products grown on site provided that: i. the size of the roadside stand does not exceed a Gross Floor Area of 9m 2 ; ii. no more than 5 vehicle trips per day are generated by sales related to the urban food garden; iii. on-site sales and roadside stands are limited to no more than 60 days within a calendar year; and iv. the roadside stand is located on the property and does not impede sight lines from the driveway. (4500.012; 2012-APR-16)

d) No artificial lighting shall be used.

e) No pesticides or herbicides shall be used.

f) The urban food garden does not create noise, dust, vibration, odour, smoke, glare, fire hazard, or any other hazard or nuisance, to any greater or more frequent extent than that usually experienced in the applicable zone under normal circumstances wherein no urban food garden exists.

g) The location and siting of the urban food garden meets all the watercourse setting requirements, as specified in Section 6.3 of this Bylaw.

h) An urban food garden shall not be permitted where a farm defined under the Assessment Act is permitted.

 6.1.3
development and productive use of agricultural land; siting and coverage; See document for siting and coverage regulations for buildings and structures in Agriculture Rural Residential Zone 8.5-8.6
food processing, storage and distribution; food processing; See document for regulations for food and beverage processing permitted in Industrial Zones section 13
food processing, storage and distribution; food processing; See document for regulations for seafood processing permitted in Harbour Waterfront Zone. section 15

 

City of Terrace Official Community Plan

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, First Nations and Indigenous Food Systems, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Land Access, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management

Sub-topic(s): ALR, edible landscaping, food recovery/gleaning/donation, hunting/fishing/gathering, local food culture, local procurement, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, research and data collection, residential development, tax mechanisms, urban farm, urban gardens/orchard

Region: Kitimat-Stikine | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2011

View policy:  HTML PDF

Topic Sub-Topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating

First Nations and indigenous food systems;

land access;

research and data collection;

hunting/ fishing /gathering;

 Maintain access to natural and traditional food on lands where sources of these foods have been identified, consider undertaking an inventory of city lands to better identify these resources. pg 11  
development and productive use of agricultural land; ALR; Maintain arable lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). pg 11  
urban agriculture; urban gardens/orchard; Support the existing community garden areas and the development of new community gardens in all areas of the community where suitable.  pg 12 *

food production;

development and productive use of agricultural land;

 ALR;  Explore options to maintain and expand high quality agricultural land for food production and farming pg 11  
urban agriculture; urban gardens/orchard; Explore unique opportunities to develop community gardens in public spaces, right-of ways and utility corridors.  pg 12  
urban agriculture; urban gardens/orchard; Expand areas in Terrace where urban agricultural activities are permitted through a review of current bylaws and regulations. pg 12 *
urban agriculture; edible landscaping; Consider edible landscaping for City property. pg 12  
urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard;

residential development;

 Provide support for residential food production efforts, including greenhouse operations, rooftop gardens and backyard gardens. pg 12  
urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard;

residential development;

 Consider establishing food production or communal garden space requirements for all new medium and high density residential developments. pg 12  
economic development; tax mechanisms; Promote farming as a viable pursuit locally through efforts such as incentive programs or tax breaks. pg 12  
urban agriculture; urban farm; Encourage small scale commercial food production where zoning permits.  pg 12  
waste management; food recovery/gleaning/donation; Support food recovery programs to ensure fresh local products are available to all. pg 12  
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement; Encourage local business, agencies and institutions to adopt local food buying policies.  pg 12  
education; community food system education; Promote awareness offood security issues and support educational opportunities to residents on gardening, composting, food processing, storage and preparation. pg 12 *

education;

community food system education;

 Support and coordinate the development of food-related educational and cultural events. pg 12  

education;

first nations and indigenous food systems;

hunting/ fishing /gathering;

 Work corroboratively to promote education on traditional local and wild foods and opportunities for fishing, hunting and harvesting. pg 12 *

food sales, access and procurement;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

 partnerships/advocacy/liaising;  Encourage partnerships between community groups, other levels of government and health authorities to support access to healthy food for all pg 12  
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement; Aim to include 25% of locally grown food (as available in season) at municipal events.  pg 12 *
economic development local food culture; Support innovative farming and local marketing techniques to help improve the economic viability of food production in the community pg 12  

City of North Vancouver Food Strategy and Action Plan

Topic(s): Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): urban farm, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, residential development, urban gardens/orchard

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Food Strategy | Year: 2012

View policy:  HTML PDF

Topic Sub-Topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location

Language

Rating
urban agriculture;

 

The City of North Vancouver supports and encourages citizens to engage in urban agriculture on public and private land .See document for related actions.

 1; 8
urban agriculture; urban farm; The City of North Vancouver encourages not-for-profit organizations to propose non-commercial, community engaging Urban Farms on public land. See document for related actions.  2; *
urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard;


residential development;

 As the City increases in density, The City of North Vancouver provides opportunities for more food production space within medium and high density developments. See document for related actions.  3; *
  partnerships/advocacy/liaising; The City of North Vancouver supports local Community Groups which seek to address food security solutions for our City. See document for related actions. 4; *

 

City of North Vancouver Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 8400

Topic(s): Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): edible landscaping, composting, beekeeping/apiculture, urban farm, pollinators, community food system education, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, climate change and greenhouse gases, urban gardens/orchard

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2014

View policy:  HTML PDF

Topic Sub-Topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location

Language rating
urban agriculture; urban gardens/orchard; Explore ways to activate laneways in the City including opportunities for uses, pedestrian and cycling activity as well as stormwater and urban agriculture. 1.3.9;  

urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard;

edible landscaping;composting;

beekeeping/apiculture;

urban farm;

pollinators;

 Consider the potential for food production on public and private land including rooftops, community gardens, micro gardens, composting, urban farming, orchards, beehives and edible landscaping on residential boulevards, park land and Rights Of Way. 3.4.2;  
education; community food system education; Increase public awareness and education regarding food production and consumption. 3.4.3;  
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

 Collaborate with various levels of government, local and regional partners, businesses and other stakeholders in implementing policies that effectively promote sustainable food systems.  3.4.4;  
urban agriculture; climate change and greenhouse gases; Continue to expand urban agriculture as a way of increasing food security and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production, processing and transportation. 3.4.5;  

City of Abbotsford Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2016, Part 3, Section 6 Agricultural Policies

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Food Self Reliance, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management

Sub-topic(s): beekeeping/apiculture, covenants, endowment fund, farm retail/farm gate sales, food distribution, food processing, livestock, local food culture, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, pollinators, research and data collection, urban farm, waste to energy, zoning

Region: Fraser Valley | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2016

View policy:  HTML PDF

Topic Sub-topic  Policy or Policy excerpt Document Location Language Rating
food system policy partnerships, advocacy and development process; partnerships/advocacy/liaising; Continue to work with the Agricultural Land Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture to develop up-to-date regulations to enable agriculture to grow and thrive.  6.1;  

development and productive use of agricultural land;

economic development;

endowment fund;

research and data collection;

zoning;

 Implement the Agricultural Enhancement Endowment Fund (‘Ag Trust Fund’) by requiring a $20,000 per acre contribution for land that is rezoned in the area identified on Map 16. Consider expanding the Ag Trust Fund program to further support agricultural research, innovation, and farm practices.  6.2; *

food processing, storage & distribution;

economic development;

 food processing; Encourage a thriving and innovative agricultural sector by supporting value-added agri-businesses in appropriate locations, including directing agri-processing facilities to specific areas.  6.3; *
economic development; research and data collection; Support and showcase agricultural enterprise, research, and best practices.  6.4;  

economic development;

development and productive use of agricultural land;

   Support the agricultural sector by preserving the agricultural land base, marketing the industry, and supporting local and regional initiatives to protect and further develop the local food industry and culture.  6.6; *

food processing, storage & distribution;

food sales, access and procurement;

waste management;

food processing;

food distribution;

local food culture;

waste to energy;

 Support a thriving food system throughout the city, including local production, processing, distribution, celebration, consumption, nutrient recovery, and waste to energy.  6.7; *
  research and data collection; Identify rural centres to enable support services for the rural farming community. 6.8; *

food sales, access and procurement;

urban agriculture;

urban farm;

farm retail/farm gate sales

 Enable the production and sale of food throughout the urban area by developing urban agriculture guidelines and permitting small scale, commercial urban food gardens 6.9; *

urban agriculture;

food self reliance;

food production;

beekeeping/apiculture;pollinators;

livestock;

covenants;

pollinators

 Consider supporting additional urban agriculture activities that encourage self sufficiency such as keeping bees in the urban area.  6.10;  

 

City of Victoria Pesticide Use Reduction Bylaw Amendment

Topic(s): Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): urban farm, pesticide and pest management

Region: Capital | Document Type: Regulatory Bylaw | Year: amendment 2016

View policy:  HTML PDF

A bylaw is to protect the natural environment by regulating and reducing the non-essential use of pesticides.

From Pesticide Use Reduction Bylaw, City of Victoria, 2009.

Subscribe to urban farm